Senior Policy Adviser

Senior Policy Adviser The British Academy

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Location: St James Park, London, SW1 Hybrid, worked flexibly under our hybrid-working policy

Salary: £40,926 per annum

The British Academy - the UK's national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking a Senior Policy Adviser to join a growing and high-performing policy team, focused on higher education policy.

The role

The Senior Policy Adviser is a central role in our Higher Education and Research Policy Team; a collaborative, productive and high-performing team which is part of the Academy's Policy Directorate alongside the Public Policy Team and the Global Strategy, Policy and Engagement team.

We work to position the Academy as a thought leader on higher education and research policy, engaging in evidence-based policy to influence the health and vibrancy of our disciplines in higher education and the wider RD&I ecosystem. This ranges from reactive work responding to developments in the sector to more proactive planned projects, designed to strengthen our evidence base, support the SHAPE discipline community and stimulate debate.

Current work includes robust engagement with emerging HE policy changes in the context of financial strain, including the Post-16 Skills and Education white paper, the International Student Levy and the reviews in Wales and Scotland. The team is embarking on an ambitious new programme on the form and function of the higher education system, and the Senior Policy Adviser will have an important role to play in shaping this work. Key responsibilities will include connecting our evidence base to wider implications for education policy, including long-term funding and investment in the system, engaging with stakeholders in and outside of government, and helping to plan and execute the programme of work.

With line management responsibility for a Policy Adviser, the Senior Policy Adviser will need to take a proactive and collaborative approach in developing and implementing creative ideas and concepts in policy research and evaluation. Joining an enthusiastic, close team of policy experts, the postholder is expected to work with the wider policy teams and across the Academy to help tailor our higher education and research policy work to the strategic objectives of the organisation.

About the Academy

The British Academy is the UK's national body for the humanities and social sciences, established by Royal Charter in 1902. We mobilise these disciplines to understand the world and shape a brighter future. Today's complex challenges can only be resolved by deepening our insight into people, culture, and societies. With a Fellowship of around 1700 leading national and international academics, the Academy invests in researchers and projects across the UK and overseas; engages the public with fresh thinking and debates; and brings together scholars, government, business, and civil society to influence policy.

The Academy currently has five directorates: Communications & Marketing; Development; Policy; Research; and Resources, plus a small Governance & Fellowship Team.

Working at the Academy

Our senior management team have worked with staff to foster a culture of collaboration, respect, and empathy, in which all contributions are recognised as we work towards our common goals. Our people strategy and working practices focus on building strengths and sharing insights, with learning & development, wellbeing, and equality, diversity & inclusion at the centre of how we operate as an organisation. Investing in our staff and encouraging a healthy work/life balance is central to our success, as we move forward and continue to grow. To learn more about the British Academy and read our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement, please visit our website.

Terms and conditions

The British Academy is based at 10-11, Carlton House Terrace, St James Park, London, SW1 - a Grade 1 listed building. We offer a competitive benefits package including a 35-hour working week; 34 days' annual leave plus Bank Holidays; a subsidised canteen and an excellent occupational pension.

How to apply

We use Applied for our recruitment. Applied aims to overcome unconscious bias in recruiting. Instead of using CVs, candidates are asked to answer questions that test skills needed for the role. The responses are then anonymised and reviewed in a random order by members of the hiring panel.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, in line with our commitment to create a diverse and inclusive working environment, promote equal opportunity, and address under-representation. We will make reasonable adjustments to support disabled job applicants and offer an interview to those meeting the minimum selection criteria.

Please contact the HR team at if you have any questions.

To find out more about this opportunity and to apply, please visit our recruitment page via the apply button.

Applications must be received no later than Midday on 17 March 2026.